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GL Tech approves $36M budget

By Sarah Favot, sfavot@lowellsun.com

Updated:
03/28/2013 06:34:23 AM EDT

TYNGSBORO -- The Greater Lowell Technical High School Committee approved a preliminary fiscal 2014 operating budget of $36 million, a 1.6 percent increase over this year's budget, with a few committee members warning next budget year will be a crossroads for the school district as fixed costs rise and state aid dwindles.

No one from the public attended Wednesday's public hearing on the budget. The preliminary budget is based on projections from the governor's budget and won't be final until state aid appropriations are made.

As in the past, the school district assessed communities a minimum contribution required by state laws that includes transportation costs and debt. Assessments for next year are based on enrollment as of Oct. 1 the previous year.

* Lowell will be assessed $6.4 million, a 6 percent increase from last year, and saw a reduction of 15 students from the previous year.

* Dracut will be assessed $3.7 million, a 6 percent increase and increased by six students.

* Tyngsboro will be assessed $1.3 million, a 5 percent increase, and had no enrollment change.

* Dunstable will be assessed $186,000, a 20 percent increase, and increased by two students.

Business Manager George Garabedian pointed out $150,000 from the district's excess and deficiency account is being given back to the four communities to help pay for transportation costs. The operating budget is being offset by $325,000 from the E and D account.

Boutin said instead of that money going back to the communities, he would like it to be used for students and needed infrastructure.

The motion failed with only Boutin and George O'Hare, of Lowell, voting in favor.

Erik Gitschier, of Lowell, noted fixed costs are increasing and less money is going directly to the students.

"Right now we're in a scary place. We're taking money out of our (excess and deficiency account) and contractual costs are going through the roof. We can't contain them," said Erik Gitschier, of Lowell.

"We'll be at a crossroads next year," Chairman Victor Olson, of Dracut, said.

"I think all of us are going to have to get tough and say we can't maintain this," Gitschier later added.

Health insurance and liability, retirement expenses and contractual and collective bargaining agreements resulted in a $1.2 million increase in this budget.

Costs for supplies, equipment and textbooks decreased by 17 percent. Some items are funded by grants, Garabedian said.

The district will be saving $200,000 in funding building maintenance because of the building renovation project, Garabedian pointed out.

A new engineering instructor position of $76,000 was proposed.

Public hearings will be held in Dracut on June 3; in Tyngsboro May 2; in Dunstable on May 13 and at a date to be determined in Lowell.

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